Horrible State of the Wellington Asylum.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3097, 21 January 1879, Page 2

Horrible State of the Wellington Asylum.

Wellingtok, Wednesday. Dr. Skey's report on the condition ot the Wellington Lunatic Asylum shews it to bejfearfully over-crowded. Hesays :— "The numbers now in the asylum are: Males, 66 ; females, 46; total, 112, being 40 more than when I first drew attention to its overcrowded condition. This has how reached a pitch which is quite unendurable, and baffles all attempt at good management. Almost fill the bed-rooms, intended for the use of one patient only, are occupied by two or three. There is consequently no possibility of safely disposing of excited and violent patients, and the risk of serious accidents, even murders, is very jjreat indeed, not to speak of abominable vices which are liable to be encouraged by such distribution of persons of disordered passions and bereft of self-control. Passages and lavatories are used as sleeping apartments. Most of the associated dormitories are crowded with beds, to, which less than half the minimum cubic space thought consistent with good health is allotted. The solitary day-room of the male "jback ward" is even more crowded than the dormitories. This room is 20 feet by 15 feet, and when visited on the 29th—a rainy day, on which the patients could not get out to the grounds —it contained 20 patients, packed so closely together on the benches that they had not room to move their elbows. Although three windows and the doors were open, the atmosphere was close and offensive, but the superintendent explained it was nothing to what it usually was in wet weather, when it is occupied by thirty-five patients and two attendants, and the windows have to be kept shut on account of strong, cold winds. It is absurd to pretend that this place, in its present condition, has any claim to be considered an asylum. It would be an undeserved compliment to call it a prison. It is not morally justifiable to continue week after week adding to the numbers of its inmates. Whatever difficulty there can be in otherwise disposing of the insane, it appears to be necessary that a circular should be sent to all Eesident Magistrates and Acting Justices in Provincial District, informing them that no more patients can be received into the asylum until the building has been enlarged or a reduction has been effected in the number of residents. Unless some such step as this be taken, it seems certain that some dreadful catastrophe will happen. It cannot be too distinctly stated that this asylum is in* dangerous and unmanageable condition."